Both Sides Don't Do It: Study Finds Republicans Lie Three Times More Than Democrats

A new study from the nonpartisan Center For Media Affairs has concluded that since the beginning of President Obama’s second term, Republicans have lied three times more often than Democrats.

The Center For Media Affairs (CFMA) at George Mason University found that PolitiFact rated Republican claims as false three times more often than Democratic claims. Not only do Republicans lie more often, but Democrats are more truthful. By a 2 to 1 margin (22%-11%) PolitiFact rated Democratic statements as completely true. The CFMA also found that, “A majority of Democratic statements (54%) were rated as mostly or entirely true, compared to only 18% of Republican statements. Conversely, a majority of Republican statements (52%) were rated as mostly or entirely false, compared to only 24% of Democratic statements. Despite controversies over Obama administration statements regarding Benghazi, the IRS and the Associated Press, Republicans have continued to fare worse than Democrats, with 60% of their claims rated as false so far this month (May 1 – May 22), compared to 29% of Democratic statements – a 2 to 1 margin.”

On this surface the fact that Republicans lie more than Democrats may appear obvious, but beyond the numbers this study confirms that lying is a major component of Republican political strategy.

The reason why Republicans can get away with lying so often is because the mainstream media refuses to challenge them. The media has become a willing accomplice in the GOP’s lie to win strategy by treating lies as equal to facts. Republicans know that they can go on television and spread their false talking points with little or no resistance from the media. Republicans have turned the press into empty headed megaphones by refusing to speak to anyone in the media who will challenge their lies. Republicans withhold access to anyone who refuses to treat their lies as fact. That’s how the game works, and it is why the corporate media turns a blind eye to blatant Republican falsehoods.